The soil at Constitution Gardens is compacted, saturated, and unable to sustain healthy planting. Tree species that exist there today are a collection of species not necessarily suited to their topographic placement, are generally undersized for their age, and lack long-term sustainability. Trees closer to the lake are generally in worse condition than those at the higher perimeter of the site. We will undertake relocation, replacement, and rigorous in-situ treatment to nurse the tree population back to health.

Diverse woods planting will allow for flexible phased tree relocation. A naturalistic approach to maintenance, including leaving leaf litter in place, will provide a consistent influx of nutrients to the soil, reduce maintenance requirements, and encourage the nutrient cycling capacity of the Gardens’ plant communities.

The soil on-site will be an integral building material for lifting the grade along the edges of Constitution Gardens. This will facilitate the retention and sealing of contaminated, unhealthy soil beneath the reconstituted root zone. A continuous drainage layer will enable growth of a diverse suite of species.

The understory is designed with sturdy species that require little maintenance and tolerate a flexible maintenance schedule. The lawns and meadows can be mown regularly or allowed to grow and flower, successive waves of bloom occurring over the seasons through careful consideration of plant form and bloom habit. The woodland understory will require only a single annual cut-back.